Take time to thank Schmitz for all he does for community

By Jan Close - Morris, Illinois

June 21, 2013

To the Editor: Living in Morris and Grundy County for most of my life, I have the pleasure of knowing what a generous community we live in. There are countless people who are willing to help those who have fallen onto hard times.

Most of these special people want no recognition for their generosity. They simply work behind the scenes, wanting only to give back to a community that they love.

There is one particular person that I would like the people of Grundy County to recognize. He is definitely one of these special people that work behind the scenes and does so wanting nothing in return. He is truly kind and does not judge the people he is helping.

Those of us that have the pleasure of knowing him, know how generous and hardworking he is for the people of this community. I would not even begin to know how many lives he has touched in Grundy County. His smile makes everyone around him smile.

For those of you who do not know him, let me introduce you to Joe Schmitz. I can assure you that if you have the opportunity to meet him, you will have a friend for life.

Knowing Joe for the last 30 years has definitely been a positive point in my life. He serves as a great role model for me and the people of Grundy County to never turn your back on someone in need.

Being president of a great local nonprofit organization, Operation St. Nick, Joe is always available to those in need and his generosity knows no boundaries. From making sure that families that have fallen onto hard times have Christmas to organizing relief for the recent flood victims, Joe always has the best interest of the people of Grundy County at heart. He treats the citizens that he assists with respect and is very discreet.

In closing, if you have the pleasure of knowing Joe, nothing I have said here will surprise you. Those that know him are aware of what a great example he provides to all of us; how generous, caring, sincere and genuine a person he is.

If you have not had the opportunity to meet Joe, what I have stated here just scratches the surface of what a wonderful person he is... Joe is all of these things and so much more. He is someone that I am honored to call a friend.

So when you see Joe, stop and shake his hand or give him a hug. Tell him “Thank You” for everything he does for the people of our community.

We are extremely fortunate that he made the decision years ago to leave Streator and make Grundy County his home. Thank you, Joe Schmitz, you are truly a great citizen of Grundy County.

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